We start the Bank Holiday weekend with a clash with the Clarets as we head to Chelmsford City. 

 

A play-off hopeful last time out, Chelmsford will have their eyes on one better this campaign. It was this exact fixture last season that could have changed the trajectory for both of Saturday’s side. Going into the game, both still had a top seven finish in their sights and Jack Barham’s header with just under 15 to go looked like it may be advantage City going into the final three match weeks. But a late penalty from Josh Umerah and an even later goal line clearance from Josh Popoola saw United travel home with a point in the bag – a crucial one in eventually securing seventh spot. However, Josh Popoola’s contributions against Chelmsford were even more important in the fixture at York Road as his 92nd minute winner followed Liam Dulson’s opener and Barham’s late equaliser. 

 

Mark Cooper has had the chance to build a squad of his own since he began his role in early May. A project that has seen him recruit 14 new faces, along with contract extensions for an array of key faces from last campaign. Experience in Nathan Ralph, Jack Bridge and Mandela Egbo have been added to basis of young talent with Leo Sery, Denzelle Olopade and the loan of Alfie Marriott naming just a few. Alfie Marriott has started life strong in City colours, with notable performances in his last two outings, including a clean sheet against Truro City. He also may be a familiar name to United fans having played in the SL Clásico at Arbour Park last campaign. 

 

A man who fits the bill of playing for both City and United is Kai Yearn. The attacking midfielder’s first loan move away from Cambridge United came with Chelmsford. At just 17, Yearn made 21 appearances across two short spells including scoring twice in that time. Those goals coming in back-to-back wins against Redditch and Worthing, form which earned him the Clarets’ Player of the Month for November of 2022. Just shy of three years later, Yearn became a Magpie where he’d feature 12 times and score just the once. That goal coming against Winslow in the Berks & Bucks trophy; a spectacular strike from range into the far top corner. 

 

Following his first ninety minutes of the season last week, the one to watch is Leo Sery. A summer arrival from St Albans, he provides exciting competition to Lyle Taylor in the Clarets forward line. The 22-year-old scored 20 and assisted 12 last season and was hot property over the summer, proving a real coup for the Clarets. The young, but already proven, goal scorer got off the mark against Folkestone Invicta with a poacher’s finish from Ricky Holmes’ deep free kick last time out. 

 

Branching away from sports, the famous face from Chelmsford is actor and comedian Joe Thomas. Best known for his role as Simon Cooper in The Inbetweeners sitcom series, Thomas has been in a variety of other films including The Festival, Mummies and most recently Universal. He has also featured on many TV show since his breakout role including cameos on Celebrity Mastermind, Taskmaster and Great British Bake Off: Stand up to Cancer - which he won Star Baker for creation of Chelmsford Bus Station in biscuit form.  

 

For those looking for their famous face football fix, World Cup legend Sir Geoff Hurst grew up locally to Chelmsford. The father of the only man to score a hat-trick for England in a World Cup final, Charlie Hurst, played for City in the late 1940s while a young Geoff watched on. Along with this, the late great Jimmy Greaves spent a singular season at the Clarets in the late 1970s. Widely regarded as one of England's best ever players, Greaves featured 38 times and scored 20 goals in all competitions - even enjoying a foray into the Anglo-Italian Cup. 

 

Chelmsford City 1-1 Maidenhead United (2026) 

Maidenhead United 2-1 Chelmsford City (2025) 

Chelmsford City 0-1 Maidenhead United (2017) 

Maidenhead United 1-0 Chelmsford City (2016) 

Chelmsford City 4-1 Maidenhead United (2016) 

Maidenhead United 1-0 Chelmsford City (2015) 

Chelmsford City 1-1 Maidenhead United (2015) 

Maidenhead United 2-0 Chelmsford City (2015) 

 

From Maidenhead Station head to Paddington, from which walk to the Underground and the Elizabeth Line towards Shenfield and disembark at Stratford. At Stratford head back for the train and board a Greater Anglia service Chelmsford. Chelmsford Station is a 25-minute walk to the stadium. Local bus routes stop near the stadium, with C2 Chelmsford Shuttles recommended towards Broomfield Hospital. A seven-minute journey takes you to Melbourne Shops, which is then a seven-minute walk to The Melbourne Stadium. 

 

Car  

Travel by the M4 towards London, exiting at Junction 4B by Heathrow Airport onto the M25. Take the M25 for about 46 miles up to Junction 28 where you should merge onto the A12 and stay for nine miles. At Junction 15 join the A414 which take you pretty much straight into Chelmsford. 

 

Free limited parking on-site. Overflow available nearby - signage will be in place on matchday. 

We expect this fixture WILL be segregated. Tickets are available online and on-the-gate using card only (price indicated in brackets). 

 

 

Adult: £14 (£20) 

Concession: £11 (£15) 

Student (18+): £4 (£8) 

Youth (14-18): £3 (£8) 

Under 14: £1 (£3) 

 

*4% Processing fee added to ticket price (applied by ticket platform) 

- All under 14s must be accompanied by an adult 

- All under 18s buying tickets on the gate must be accompanied by an adult